<p>We’re just bummed in these parts that Tiger will miss the Buick Open. He is Buick’s spokesman … but I am certain the Open took a toll on him & he needs to let his knee recuperate. Rocco will be here, though! :)</p>
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<p>Certainly. Also, the USGA has done a lot to transform the game too. For example, their decision to start holding the US Open at public golf courses (this year at Torrey Pines and 2002 and next year at Bethpage Black on Long Island). </p>
<p>There aren’t many sports where an average joe schmo who’s not a member of any private club play on the same hallowed grounds as those used for the national championship… You can’t play at Wimbledon centre court, you can’t play at Yankee Stadium but you can play at Torrey Pines or Bethpage Black for like $50 if you’re a resident .</p>
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And if you have infinite patience :D. It is difficult to get a tee time at Torrey Pines; involves getting on the phone at 0-dark-thirty and practicing your re-dial skills. Or, in the alternative that we exercised, hiring one of the college students who do this for a bit of a living. Still cheap at the price.</p>
<p>We played there a few years ago, around Thanksgiving. They were already starting to set it up for the Buick Open (February). The rough was humbling, to say the least. And it still had more than a month to grow longer and gnarlier.</p>
<p>I only watch golf for Tiger, I only watched hockey for “The Great One” and even for Ali, I couldn’t watch boxing, but I’d watch him do other things. The only place I’ve loved watching baseball was in Caracas. Those people are FANS!!! and it’s contagious.</p>
<p>I am worried about Tiger’s knee.</p>
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Yeah, I think it’s the same way for Bethpage Black. They should institute the system they use for the Old Course at St. Andrews. Most of the tee slots are allocated by a random lot the day before. Anyone that’s interested can sign up at the shop and then at 4PM they randomly choose the tee times for the next day (and post them on the internet too). Apparently if you sign up for a few days in a row you’re more or less probably going to get a slot. </p>
<p>Like Bethpage, there are a bunch of other courses that you can play on if you don’t get one of the slots. You also need to have an official handicap to play on the Old Course too (it’s not too strict though… I think it’s like 24 for men and 35 for women) which makes sense so that at least ensures that those trying for the spots are at least serious golfers and half decent. Although with a slope rating of 140 for Bethpage Black (golf techno speak for ‘if you ain’t really good then don’t even bother trying cause you’re just going to get eaten up and spit out’) you’ve got to be decent to really enjoy playing the course.</p>
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He’s going to have some more surgery and will be out the rest of the year.</p>
<p>Are they going to put an * in this year’s FedEx cup winner - *Tiger did not play the full season?</p>
<p>Despite Retif Gossen’s (I know I spelled the name wrong) recent allegation that Tiger was “faking” his knee pain during the US Open, word was just announced today that Tiger will be sitting out the rest of the golf season:(. He needs further surgery, and extended recovery time.</p>
<p>Bummer for Tiger, and even more of a bummer for those of us who thrill to watch him play.</p>
<p>Wow, I was closer than I thought: His name is spelled, Retief. Left out the “i” above. Had Gossen right, though;)</p>
<p>Actually, poetsheart, it’s Goosen not Gossen. 
It’s very disappointing that a player like Goosen would make such claims about Tiger. I don’t know why anyone would do that, but particularly someone who knows him. Tiger is probably the last athlete that would pull a trick like that.</p>
<p>After hearing about Tiger’s more extensive injury, I couldn’t help but think of Bobby Orr. I hope that Tiger’s outcome is better.</p>
<p>Well, we all knew what a brilliant golfer Tiger was before this. Imagine winning the US Open with two stress fractures of the leg and a torn knee ligament! He can beat the world on one leg, with one arm tied behind his back…</p>
<p>So now not only did he win… he won with a bum knee and a broken leg. I bet that makes all the other pros feel even smaller ;-).</p>